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Teachings of the Buddha

Written by: Gil Fronsdal - editor, Jack Kornfield - editor
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Jack Kornfield
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Publisher's Summary

This treasury of essential Buddhist writings draws from the most popular Indian, Tibetan, Chinese, and Japanese sources. Among the selections are some of the earliest recorded sayings of the Buddha on the practice of freedom, passages from later Indian scriptures on the perfection of wisdom, verses from Tibetan masters on the enlightened mind, and songs in praise of meditation by Zen teachers. The audiobook also includes traditional instruction on how to practice sitting meditation, cultivate calm awareness, and live with compassion. Jack Kornfield, one of the most respected American Buddhist teachers, has compiled these teachings to impart the essence and inspiration of Buddhism to listeners of all spiritual traditions.

A Dedication and Editor’s Preface are included, narrated by Jack Kornfield.

©1993, 1996 Jack Kornfield (P)2014 Audible Inc.

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    2 out of 5 stars

Rushed narration, repetitive harsh translation

Texts like these are difficult to translate and not easy reading, they are not expected to be. However, within the texts of the teachings of the Buddha this translation and narration are particularly harsh and rushed. It felt like the narrator was stumbling over his own words in this translation in a rush to finish the recording on one breath.

Lots of the texts are good, but this is not a good recording to become acquainted with these texts.

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    2 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

More a collection of trite tropes

I get it is short. But that places even greater burden to communicate something of the enlightenment of the Buda rather than a strong of platitudes. Without some context or perspective the injunctions to lay down the various illusions of life are meaningless to an average person. If you seek knowledge of the Buda. look elsewhere.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

It’s a good book

If very well put together and insightful collection of Buddhist scriptures
The narration is also quite pleasant and soothing

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    5 out of 5 stars

Same as Shambhala Pocket Classics

Same text as used in the Shambhala pocket classics version "Teachings of the Buddha", which I already own.
Many sayings, stories, tales, parables, and etc. but not so much concise "teachings" or instruction for a layperson to understand and use as an introduction into buddhism. Buddhism for dummies, Buddhism plain & simple, and others are better for that.




If only we could rate ratings here.

"It's simple, but difficult."
So texts like this should very much be easy reading, even if not easily or quickly understood by the reader. Any text or teaching which intentionally makes or keeps the dharma and buddhism more complex and difficult than it needs be to learn, or obfuscates it in any way, and so pushes one further from the ultimate goal, should be cast away and forgotten.
"The Buddha encouraged his disciples to propagate the dharma in the local languages. Both Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche have stressed the importance of enabling people to study and practice dharma in their mother tongues so that it becomes a natural part of their lives and path."

If you find the narration speed too fast, then maybe slow down the speed it is read at, if that is not too complex for you to figure out. ;) Otherwise just read it yourself and/or record yourself at the narration speed you like then play that back or release that yourself, instead of whining in a review.

Personally I keep my narration speed on 1.10x - 1.20x for almost all audiobooks and never find it problematic.

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I look forward to hearing this read again

I loved this book and I look forward to hearing it again and I will put the lessons of Buddhism into myself and others , I have been intrigued by Buddha for a very long time and have followed his teaching for the last 12 Years , Thank you 👏👏🙏🏼 Namaste 🧘🏼‍♀️

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • TMG
  • 2019-09-13

Good, but not what I expected

This book is basically a collection of sayings from many books of Buddha. If you buy this just know that there is nothing directly from Jack Kornfield only snippets from other references.

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